A La Trobe University manager has been recognised for her work in supporting innovation and research excellence.
Research Impact Manager Dr Helen Slaney won the acclaimed RMIT Paul Taylor Award at the 2024 Australasian Research Management Society (ARMS) conference, held in Darwin, Northern Territory.
The award is named in honour of Dr Paul Taylor, a Research Management Professional from RMIT University, who passed away in 2018.
Dr Taylor was internationally respected for his thoughtful and determined leadership in research integrity.
Dr Slaney’s work has enabled excellence and innovation at La Trobe University through her creation of a project database for demonstrating research impact. The database has enabled research staff to document in a structured, centralised location the impact resulting from externally funded research.
She led the transition of this database into an innovative module integrated into La Trobe’s research management platform PRIME, alongside existing research management lifecycle workflows.
Dr Slaney said she was honoured to receive the award.
“It was wonderful to be recognised for the work we do at La Trobe, especially at the ARMS conference in front of industry peers,” Dr Slaney said.
“Myself and my team strive to ensure that researchers at the university are supported and can continue to lead projects that are at the forefront of their respective fields.
“The introduction of systematic impact tracking is part of a broader culture shift towards embedding impact in the research lifecycle. The data can show where there are hotspots and gaps, to support strategic planning. And it means we can start building up an institutional memory of successful impact.”
La Trobe University Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Industry Engagement Professor Chris Pakes said Dr Slaney as a worthy recipient of the important award.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Helen – her work enables excellence through innovation that allows the impact of La Trobe’s research to be better understood and demonstrated,” Professor Pakes said.
“This assists researchers from across Australia to promote their own research and achieve greater outcomes.”
Pictured: (left to right) La Trobe University's Dr Helen Slaney with RMIT University's Jane Holt at the 2024 Australasian Research Management Society (ARMS) conference.
